Monday, September 25, 2006

Monday Morning QB... And then there were four ... four unbeatens that is. After the opening weekend of conference play for all but Indiana and Michigan State, four teams sit atop the conference, and the same four remain perfect on the season. Michigan buckled down in the second half to defensively dominate Wisconsin. Purdue won a wild one with Minnesota. Ohio State sealed a tougher than the final score indicated victory over Penn State with two late interception returns for touchdown. Iowa fought off a pesky Illinois team to set up a show down with the Buckeyes this weekend.

For others, it was all about heartbreak. Northwestern fought and clawed and gave it a great effort but fell short at Nevada. Indiana came up a score short against UConn. And then there was Michigan State. Oh to be a Spartan this Monday morning. Okay, so it is nothing new to watch my alma mater snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, but it is particularly painful when you dominate a rival for 50 minutes, weather a soaking rain and swirling winds and don't arrive home until 2 am! Last year the experts were on watch to see if MSU could handle the success of beating Notre Dame in overtime. This week we're all on standby to see how the Spartans respond to the adversity of a never should have happened loss.

Team of the Week...I could give it to Michigan again, but instead, I'm going with the scarlet and gray. This was the second big game in three weeks with a huge road trip looming this weekend as well. OSU fought through the offensive doldrums and slugged out a win setting up a big contest with Iowa this Saturday.

Player of the Week...Michigan's Mario Manningham. The sophomore became the second Wolverine to win the conference honor two straight weeks (Desmond Howard was the other) and now has five TDs in the last two games.

Get Gamm Standings...The winner for the week was Purdue fan Dan Meyer who went 7-0 and nailed the point differential on the tiebreaker.

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